Blackhawks defensemen Erik Gustafsson and center Marcus Kruger will play for Sweden at the World Championship next month in Slovakia, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced Friday. Sweden will be looking for its third straight gold for the tournament that runs from May 10-26 in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.
Gustafsson is coming off his first full NHL season where he scored 17 goals and 60 points in 79 games. The 27-year-old won gold at last year’s tournament and will be making his third World Championship appearance.
Kruger, who will turn 29 on May 27, tallied four goals and 12 points in 74 contests this past season.